Assam travel guide

Top places to visit in Assam

One place from each district that our guide covers in depth.

1. Pathsala (district headquarters)

   Bajali district · District headquarters

   Headquarters of Bajali district. Declared a district on 12 January 2021 from Barpeta, merged back on 31 December 2022, and a district again from 12 October 2023 (Wikipedia).

2. Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve

   Baksa district · Wildlife

   UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985) in the Bhutan foothills, contiguous with Royal Manas in Bhutan; tiger, elephant, rhino, golden langur, pygmy hog and Bengal florican. Jeep and elephant safaris, and rafting on the Manas river.

3. Barpeta Satra

   Barpeta district · Satras and shrines

   Vaishnava satra established by Madhabdev in 1583 (1505 shakabda); its Kirtan Ghar has three Guru Asanas and no image of a deity. Doul (Holi) is the main festival (Wikipedia).

4. Biswanath Ghat ("Gupta Kashi")

   Biswanath district · Temples and ghats

   Riverside cluster of temples where the Burigonga meets the Brahmaputra, called Gupta Kashi. Named Best Tourism Village of India 2023 (Outlook Traveller).

5. Kakoijana Reserve Forest

   Bongaigaon district · Wildlife and lakes

   Reserve forest of about 17.24 sq km on the Aie river, home to around 450 golden langurs; Golden Langur Festival in early January (district portal; Assam Tourism calendar).

6. Khaspur Kachari palace ruins

   Cachar district · Kachari heritage

   Remains of the royal palace at Khaspur, once capital of the Kachari kingdom; the ruins are centrally protected (Assam Tourism; ASI list).

7. Charaideo Moidams

   Charaideo district · World Heritage

   Royal burial mounds of the Tai-Ahom dynasty, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024 ("Moidams - the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty"). Each mound covers a vault holding royal remains and is topped by a shrine. Open 9:30 AM-5:00 PM (Incredible India).

8. Kajalgaon (district headquarters)

   Chirang district · District headquarters

   Headquarters of Chirang district. Created in 2004 (Wikipedia).

9. Mangaldai (district headquarters)

   Darrang district · District headquarters

   Headquarters of Darrang district. One of Assam's old districts (before 1947, per Wikipedia).

10. Dhemaji (district headquarters)

    Dhemaji district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of Dhemaji district. Created in 1989 (Wikipedia).

11. Gurudwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib

    Dhubri district · Faith and heritage

    Gurudwara on the Brahmaputra where Guru Nanak met Sankardeva in 1505 and Guru Tegh Bahadur later established a shrine in the 17th century; devotees gather each December for Shahidi Guru Purab (district portal).

12. Bogibeel Bridge

    Dibrugarh district · River and bridges

    Double-deck rail and road bridge of 4.94 km across the Brahmaputra, opened 25 December 2018, linking Dibrugarh with Dhemaji on the north bank (Wikipedia). The road deck carries NH-15.

13. Haflong hill station and Haflong Lake

    Dima Hasao district · Hill town and birds

    Called the only hill station of Assam (district portal; Assam Tourism), at about 966 m, with a lake, valley views, orchid villages and short treks. Assam Tourism suggests three to four days for the district and advises avoiding the monsoon.

14. Sri Surya Pahar

    Goalpara district · Archaeology

    Archaeological site across seven peaks and about 1,400 acres, protected by the ASI; excavations from 1984 revealed remains believed to be post-Gupta. Sri Sri Surya Mela for three days from Maghi Purnima each January (district portal).

15. Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve

    Golaghat district · Wildlife

    UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and home to about two-thirds of the world's greater one-horned rhinos: 2,613 counted in 2022. Grassland, swamp and forest on the south bank of the Brahmaputra, with tiger, elephant, wild buffalo and swamp deer. Reopened for the 2026-27 season on 3 October 2026.

16. Hailakandi (district headquarters)

    Hailakandi district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of Hailakandi district. Created in 1989 (Wikipedia list).

17. Sankardev Nagar (district headquarters)

    Hojai district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of Hojai district. Formed on 15 August 2015 from Nagaon, merged back on 31 December 2022, and reinstated after the 25 August 2023 cabinet decision (Wikipedia).

18. Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary

    Jorhat district · Wildlife

    Evergreen forest established as a sanctuary in 1997 for the western hoolock gibbon, India's only ape; seven primate species in all and 219 bird species (Incredible India; Raj Bhavan).

19. Hajo temple town

    Kamrup district · Temples and heritage

    Ancient pilgrimage town sacred to Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists (NEDFI). Hayagriva Madhava temple on Manikut hill, completed in 1583 under the Koch king Raghudeva Narayan, with a carved row of elephants at its base; Powa Mecca mosque; Kedar, Kameshwar and Ganesh temples. All five are centrally protected (ASI list).

20. Kamakhya Temple

    Kamrup Metropolitan district · Temples and shrines

    One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, on Nilachal Hill. Rebuilt by the Koch king Chilarai in 1565 after its destruction; the inner sanctum is a cave with a yoni-shaped cleft kept moist by a spring. Ambubachi Mela draws huge crowds in June.

21. Diphu (district headquarters)

    Karbi Anglong district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of Karbi Anglong district. Created in 1970 (Wikipedia list).

22. Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary

    Kokrajhar district · Wildlife

    Hill forest of about 45 sq km known for the golden langur, with about 800 living here; best November to March (Bodoland Tourism). Also listed by the Dhubri district portal.

23. North Lakhimpur (district headquarters)

    Lakhimpur district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of Lakhimpur district. One of Assam's older districts (before 1947, per Wikipedia).

24. Majuli island and its satras

    Majuli district · Satras

    River island in the Brahmaputra and the heart of neo-Vaishnavite satra culture: monasteries of Sankardeva's tradition with dance, drama, music and mask-making. Raas Mahotsav in November is the big festival.

25. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

    Morigaon district · Wildlife

    Small sanctuary of 38.81 sq km with what Assam Tourism calls the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world; jeep safaris and elephant rides. Best mid-October to March.

26. Batadrava Than

    Nagaon district · Vaishnava heritage

    Birthplace of the saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva and a founding centre of Assamese Vaishnavism, founded in 1494 according to the district portal. Doul Mahotsav (Holi) is the main festival; cottages and dormitories on campus.

27. Nalbari (district headquarters)

    Nalbari district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of Nalbari district. Created in 1985 (Wikipedia list).

28. Rang Ghar

    Sivasagar district · Ahom monuments

    Two-storey pavilion built in 1746 by the Ahom king Pramatta Singha for royal sports such as bullfights and wrestling; roof shaped like an Ahom royal boat. Open 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (Incredible India).

29. Agnigarh hill

    Sonitpur district · Tezpur heritage

    Hillock linked to the legend of Usha and Aniruddha: Banasura is said to have kept his daughter Usha in a fortress ringed by fire. Views over the Brahmaputra; best at sunset (Incredible India).

30. Sribhumi (district headquarters)

    Sribhumi district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of Sribhumi district. Created in 1983 as Karimganj; district and headquarters town renamed Sribhumi on 21 November 2024 (The Week).

31. Hatsingimari (district headquarters)

    South Salmara-Mankachar district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of South Salmara-Mankachar district. Announced on 15 August 2015 and inaugurated on 9 February 2016 from the old Dhubri district (Wikipedia).

32. Tamulpur (district headquarters)

    Tamulpur district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of Tamulpur district. Formally created on 23 January 2022 from Baksa, merged back from 1 January 2023, and recreated after the August 2023 decision (Wikipedia).

33. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

    Tinsukia district · Wildlife

    Floodplain park of 765 sq km (340 core, 425 buffer) between the Brahmaputra, Lohit and Dibru rivers; created for the white-winged wood duck and known for its feral horses. Biosphere reserve 1997, national park 1999. Explored by motorboat.

34. Bhairabkunda

    Udalguri district · Rivers and forests

    Confluence of the Jampani and Bhairabi rivers where the Dhansiri begins, at the Bhutan and Arunachal borders: winter picnic spot, Shiva temple on the Bhutan side, and the Bhairabkunda Tourism Festival every January (Bodoland Tourism).

35. Hamren (district headquarters)

    West Karbi Anglong district · District headquarters

    Headquarters of West Karbi Anglong district. Created in 2016 from Karbi Anglong (Wikipedia list).

Districts of Assam 35

35 (Karimganj renamed Sribhumi, Nov 2024) — 35 districts since 2023 reconstitution. Assam also has 49 'co-districts' (sub-district offices); do not model these as districts.

• Bajali

  HQ Pathsala · 3 placesPathsala, home of Assam's mobile theatre, and the Deodhani dance tradition.Highlights: Pathsala mobile theatre

• Baksa

  HQ Mushalpur · 7 placesManas National Park in the Bhutan foothills, pygmy hogs at Bornadi, and picnic rivers at Bogamati and Daragaon.Highlights: Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve

• Barpeta

  HQ Barpeta · 7 placesMadhabdev's Barpeta Satra and a circle of smaller satras, with Barpeta Road as the gateway to Manas.Highlights: Barpeta Satra

• Biswanath

  HQ Biswanath Chariali · 10 placesThe north bank opposite Kaziranga: the temple village of Biswanath Ghat, protected Ahom-era monuments and tea country.Highlights: Biswanath Ghat ("Gupta Kashi")

• Bongaigaon

  HQ Bongaigaon · 9 placesGolden langurs at Kakoijana, hill temples and lakes, and the ancient caves of Jogighopa.Highlights: Kakoijana Reserve Forest

• Cachar

  HQ Silchar · 5 placesThe Barak Valley around Silchar: Kachari palace ruins at Khaspur, the hill temple at Bhuban and Kali temples.Highlights: Khaspur Kachari palace ruins

• Charaideo

  HQ Sonari · 3 placesThe first Ahom capital and its royal burial mounds, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Highlights: Charaideo Moidams

• Chirang

  HQ Kajalgaon · 7 placesBodo country in the Bhutan foothills: the western ranges of Manas, the Sikhna Jwhwlao forest, rivers and Bodo villages.

• Darrang

  HQ Mangaldai · 5 placesNorth-bank country near Guwahati: Orang National Park, the Khatara Satra and the hill temple at Dhalpur.Highlights: Orang National Park

• Dhemaji

  HQ Dhemaji · 6 placesThe north bank below Arunachal: Chutia-era shrines, the Bordoibam-Bilmukh bird sanctuary and the Bogibeel crossing to Dibrugarh.

• Dhubri

  HQ Dhubri · 4 placesAssam's western river port: the Guru Tegh Bahadur gurudwara, the protected Rangamati mosque and the terracotta village of Asharikandi.Highlights: Gurudwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib

• Dibrugarh

  HQ Dibrugarh · 9 placesUpper Assam's tea capital: heritage bungalows, the Bogibeel bridge across the Brahmaputra, and the Jeypore rainforest.Highlights: Bogibeel Bridge, Heritage tea bungalows

• Dima Hasao

  HQ Haflong · 12 placesAssam's hill district: Haflong, the bird ridge at Jatinga, Panimur's rapids and the old Dimasa capital at Maibang.Highlights: Haflong hill station and Haflong Lake, Jatinga, Panimur waterfalls

• Goalpara

  HQ Goalpara · 9 placesThe hillside ruins of Sri Surya Pahar, river temples, satras and Sufi shrines on the Brahmaputra.Highlights: Sri Surya Pahar

• Golaghat

  HQ Golaghat · 5 placesKaziranga's rhinos, Kakochang waterfall and the old stone temples of the Dhansiri valley.Highlights: Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve

• Hailakandi

  HQ Hailakandi · 4 placesA small Barak Valley district of tea gardens and shrines; one day is enough for the town (Assam Tourism).

• Hojai

  HQ Sankardev Nagar · 1 placesThe Kapili-Jamuna valley between Nagaon and the Karbi hills, with Hojai, Lumding and Lanka towns; not yet on the tourist map.

• Jorhat

  HQ Jorhat · 10 placesGibbons at Hoollongapar, the tomb of Lachit Borphukan, Madhavdev's Dhekiakhowa and the ferry to Majuli.Highlights: Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Lachit Borphukan Maidam, Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar

• Kamrup

  HQ Amingaon · 8 placesThe countryside around Guwahati: Hajo's temples, Sualkuchi's silk looms, the ruins of Madan Kamdev and Chandubi Lake.Highlights: Hajo temple town, Madan Kamdev, Sualkuchi silk village

• Kamrup Metropolitan

  HQ Guwahati · 16 placesGuwahati on the Brahmaputra: Kamakhya on Nilachal Hill, Umananda in the river, and the state's museums and cultural centres.Highlights: Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Temple, Peacock (Urvashi) Island, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra

• Karbi Anglong

  HQ Diphu · 5 placesKarbi hill country: the Karbi Youth Festival at Taralangso each February, winter harvest festivals and the Garampani hot spring.Highlights: Taralangso and the Karbi Youth Festival

• Kokrajhar

  HQ Kokrajhar · 6 placesThe heart of Bodoland: golden langurs at Chakrashila, the new Raimona National Park, and Bodo museums, markets and festivals.Highlights: Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Raimona National Park

• Lakhimpur

  HQ North Lakhimpur · 4 placesSubansiri country on the north bank: forests, wetlands, Mising villages and the road to Majuli via Dhakuakhana.

• Majuli

  HQ Garamur · 12 placesAn island district in the Brahmaputra: satras, masks, Sattriya dance and Mising villages on stilts.Highlights: Majuli island and its satras, Mising and Deori villages

• Morigaon

  HQ Morigaon · 3 placesRhinos close to Guwahati at Pobitora, the magic village of Mayong, and the winter barter fair at Jonbeel.Highlights: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Mayong

• Nagaon

  HQ Nagaon · 13 placesSankardeva's birthplace at Batadrava, river temples at Silghat and Hatimura, falls in the tea hills, and part of Kaziranga.Highlights: Batadrava Than

• Nalbari

  HQ Nalbari · 6 placesOld temples of lower Assam: Bilbeswar, Basudev and Balilecha, and the Ganga Pukhuri fair.

• Sivasagar

  HQ Sivasagar · 13 placesThe Ahom capital: Rang Ghar, Talatal Ghar, the Garhgaon palace and three great dols on the Borpukhuri tank.Highlights: Rang Ghar, Talatal Ghar (Kareng Ghar), Joysagar, Garhgaon Raja's Palace (Kareng Ghar)

• Sonitpur

  HQ Tezpur · 9 placesTezpur's legends and ancient carvings, Nameri's foothill forest and river, and the grasslands of Bura Chapori.Highlights: Agnigarh hill, Da-Parbatia door frame, Nameri National Park

• South Salmara-Mankachar

  HQ Hatsingimari · 4 placesAssam's far south-west corner on the Brahmaputra and the Bangladesh border; not yet on the tourist map.

• Sribhumi

  HQ Sribhumi · 5 placesFormerly Karimganj: the Mughal-era fort at Badarpur, the seasonal lake of Son Beel, the 1857 battlefield at Malegarh and the Sutarkandi border crossing.

• Tamulpur

  HQ Tamulpur · 1 placesAssam's newest district, in the Bodoland Territorial Region between Baksa and Kamrup; not yet on the tourist map.

• Tinsukia

  HQ Tinsukia · 12 placesFeral horses and river islands at Dibru-Saikhowa, the rainforest of Dehing Patkai, the oil town of Digboi and the Stilwell Road.Highlights: Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Dehing Patkai National Park, Digboi oil town

• Udalguri

  HQ Udalguri · 3 placesThe Bhutan border at Bhairabkunda, the planted Gethsemane forest, and Bodo culture.Highlights: Bhairabkunda

• West Karbi Anglong

  HQ Hamren · 2 placesForested Karbi hills to the west, with Laru Peak and the Kopili, Amreng and Karbi Langpi rivers; not yet on the tourist map.

Festivals and dates to plan around

• Kaziranga elephant safaris resume — Golaghat: About 20 days after 3 Oct 2026 (expected)
• Raas Mahotsav — Majuli: Around Kartik Purnima, November; 2026 dates to confirm
• Shahidi Guru Purab — Dhubri gurudwara: December (district portal)
• Dwijing Festival — Chirang (Aie river): December or January (Bodoland Tourism)
• Chandubi Festival — Kamrup: 1-5 January; exact date TBA
• Golden Langur Festival — Kakoijana, Bongaigaon: 1-5 January
• Rongker — Karbi Anglong: 5 January
• Charaideo Festival — Charaideo: 9-11 January
• Jonbeel Mela — Dayang Beguri, Morigaon: 14-17 January
• Magh (Bhogali) Bihu — Across Assam: 15 January
• Dehing Patkai Festival — Lekhapani, Tinsukia: 15-19 January
• Sri Sri Surya Mela — Sri Surya Pahar, Goalpara: Three days from Maghi Purnima (district portal)
• Bhairabkunda Tourism Festival — Udalguri: Every January (Bodoland Tourism)
• Bathou Puja — Bodoland region: 26 January
• Bushu Dima — Dima Hasao: 27 January
• Me-Dam-Me-Phi — Upper Assam: 31 January
• Karbi Youth Festival — Taralangso, Diphu: 15-19 February
• Ali-Aye-Ligang — Mising areas incl. Majuli, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur: 17 February
• Ambubachi Mela — Kamakhya, Guwahati: 22-26 June